Abstract

The cathodic deposition of copper from acid sulphate solution containing copper(II) has been used to characterize the mass transport properties of reticulated vitreous carbon cathodes, operated in the flow-by mode. Current-potential curves recorded at a rotating vitreous carbon disc electrode were used to determine the diffusion coefficient for copper(II) under the conditions of the experiments and also to elucidate the effect of oxygen in the electrolyte stream. Pressure drop measurements have been used to separate the mass transport coefficient and real surface area effect for four grades of reticulated vitreous carbon, nominally having 10, 30, 60, 100 pores per inch.